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Chapter 446: Resonance

Pa Ma.

The force created by Wi Seol-Ah, meant to become the hope of the Central Plains and the reason she ultimately succeeded in slaying the Heavenly Demon.

The moment the battle with the Demon first broke out.

Moreover, back when I wasn’t yet a Demon myself.

Amidst those helplessly caught in the toxic Demon Energy, Wi Seol-Ah’s sword was notably radiant.

She was neither consumed by the Demon Energy nor was the Demon Energy pushed back but rather diminished upon contact with her sword.

How is that possible?

Could it be that the Moon Sword Dance she learned possesses such an effect?

While people of the Central Plains questioned this fact, the Sword Sovereign stated that the same effect did not manifest in his own energy, meaning it was a unique trait that only Wi Seol-Ah possessed.

Why is that?

They had no time to ponder over such questions.

The important thing was that her power could annihilate the Demons.

A martial artist with a lethal energy like Demon Energy had appeared.

It didn’t matter if this person was a young woman or a late-stage talent.

It was not long before Wi Seol-Ah became known as the hope of the Central Plains for this very reason.

Especially since she had begun to make a name for herself due to her absurd talent, many started placing their hopes on her.

Isn’t it truly absurd?

To immediately glorify her as a hero simply for discovering a tiny spark of hope?

Not to mention, they recklessly dumped the burden of saving the world on her shoulders.

“Damn those bastards.”

To me, it was all such foolishness.

It wasn’t that I didn’t understand.

Anyone who had experienced the severity of Demon Energy couldn’t help but know its terror.

If someone could oppose that power, it might be natural to harbor expectations.

Yet, knowing this, I felt no emotional pull.

I knew too well what kind of fate awaited someone burdened with that damnable expectation.

Being buried in karma, losing oneself, and gradually watching everything crumble away.

Excessive expectations and karma were fundamentally like that.

Moreover, do you know what’s even more grotesque?

It’s that people are fully aware that the one bearing the burden will ultimately be broken down and destroyed.

Despite knowing that, they turn a blind eye just to ensure their own survival.

That’s just human nature.

I despise them.

Moreover, I resent her for stepping up to protect those fools while fully aware of what it would cost her life.

This time would be no different.

She would wield her sword and thrust her head forward, even though she knew it would eat away at her very existence.

I hated that with a passion.

As silence lingered.

Tap, tap.

An irritating sound reached my ears.

I looked up to see where the noise was coming from.

It was the Mage tapping the armrest with his fingers.

A habit that comes out when he sinks deep into thought.

Meanwhile, the air grew even heavier.

The air pressure exuded from the Mage weighed down on the surroundings.

Even in this situation, the Demons held their tongues and endured.

Clearly, that bastard’s atmosphere was not normal.

While other Demons might appear to be troubled by the unexpected ambush, I knew better.

‘His head must be filled to the brim.’

His mind was undoubtedly buzzing with thoughts about So Sword Sect.

Guuuuu….

Breaking through the heavy atmosphere, Muk-Gwon spoke.

“…Great Lord, please give your orders.”

With Muk-Gwon’s words, the Demons around him all knelt together.

This time, even the Demon Sword Queen joined in.

It was no small matter that enemy forces were appearing; gathering strength was literally preparing for war.

I don’t know how vast their numbers are, but it was assured that the enemy was gearing up for conflict.

Especially knowing that a Heavenly Lord was nearby.

And with the formidable So Sword Sect also showing up.

‘…This is definitely not going to be a light skirmish.’

The only relief was that the force known as Pa Ma couldn’t purify Demon Energy like my Technique of the Flame Wheel could.

‘Should I consider that a relief?’

Should I feel fortunate that it can’t purify?

It’s laughable even thinking about it.

In this situation.

‘What decision will you make?’

I watched the Mage’s reaction while kneeling beside the other Demons.

The best course of action here is to report to the Heavenly Demon first.

If I could report the actions of the Heavenly Lord and the gathering of the enemy to the main sect, we’d likely receive additional support, or perhaps the Heavenly Demon himself might appear personally to deal with it.

I didn’t know how strong So Sword Sect was at the moment, but surely it wouldn’t be enough to contend with the Heavenly Demon.

Even with all three Eminent Beings together, they wouldn’t be able to defeat the Heavenly Demon.

I wasn’t entirely sure whether their true intention was war, but it was probably the fastest way forward.

But.

‘You won’t do that, will you?’

The Mage wouldn’t take such a course of action.

I knew it far too well.

Creak.

Before the kneeling Demons, the Mage slowly rose.

Then, he stepped down from the throne and spoke to Muk-Gwon.

“…Muk-Gwon.”

“Yes, Great Lord.”

“Guide us to their position.”

As those words echoed, the Demons sprang to their feet.

The Great Hall filled with the aggressive energy they emanated.

They all understood the meaning behind the Mage’s words.

Seeing this, I, too, couldn’t help but smile bitterly inside.

‘You fool.’

You haven’t changed at all.

Your actions are completely unsurprising.

Your choice will always be the same.

In the end, you would choose her.

Just like in my previous life.

And even now.

And in the future to come.

‘You’re always a stupid fool.’

Who knows who would acknowledge such actions, but you can’t even come to a clear conclusion yourself, you dolt.

That was me.

If I were in such a situation now, what choice would I have made?

Thinking of the back of the Mage walking out of the Great Hall.

I already knew what choice he would make.

‘Probably.’

I would have made a choice nothing different from his.

Knowing that, I couldn’t even muster the energy to curse at him.

That bastard was indeed an idiot.

And I was still a fool as well.

I could only wish.

That nothing else goes wrong that would be difficult to manage in this situation.

Muk-Gwon’s indicated location was precisely outside of Sichuan, in a village located at the boundary leading into Sichuan.

It was a hard-to-reach place, deep in the mountains with few inhabitants.

That they would gather their forces there—was that a deliberate choice?

‘Something’s off.’

Even as I sped up, I still felt puzzled.

No matter how far out of Sichuan they were, did they really think the Demons wouldn’t catch on?

Though the group was full of idiots, they weren’t, by any means, brainless.

There certainly had to be some sort of plan behind their actions.

‘Even knowing this, charging right in…’

I thought of myself, leading this charge at the front.

Could this fool not know?

‘There’s no way he wouldn’t be aware.’

He surely knew.

Even while being fully aware, he boldly marched into enemy territory.

With such force.

‘With this many troops…’

I glanced back.

There were significantly more Demons following behind me.

Just counting, it was easily over a hundred.

Which meant they were leading every Demon on guard along with them.

It wasn’t common for me to lead this many troops.

‘Either he intends to smash the enemy to bits.’

Or he’s preparing to get his own side crushed. It usually boiled down to these two options.

After some time, the Mage spoke.

“Muk-Gwon.”

“Yes.”

Muk-Gwon, who was right behind me, sent a glance, and the Mage continued as if he had been waiting.

“I’ll go ahead, so take the other members with you.”

“…Understood.”

Normally, the Deputy Lord, the Demon Sword Queen, should lead the members.

But since the Demon Sword Queen could potentially lead them into strange situations, Muk-Gwon took the lead in this case.

In the midst of that, I had to frown at the Mage’s words.

‘Going ahead?’

How hastily does he need to be that he’s leaving the troops behind to go first?

What kind of reasoning is that?

Does he think he knows what lies ahead, choosing such a reckless course?

I certainly didn’t like it.

Flame Burst.

As if he knew my thoughts, the Mage immediately cloaked himself in Black Flame.

Boom—!

In an instant, an enormous explosion tore forth as he shot forward.

The speed was so incredible that he vanished before my eyes in mere seconds.

‘Crazy.’

He was pouring out a staggering amount of energy to boost his speed.

In my current situation, if I attempted to use such a method, I would probably be completely out of breath before half a time point had even passed.

‘Back then, I could run like that all day and be fine.’

Even while cursing at his reckless methods, I realized I urgently needed to raise my stakes.

The moment the Mage vanished, Muk-Gwon, hiding his surprise, addressed the Demons.

“We’re almost at our destination. Prepare for battle.”

At Muk-Gwon’s warning, the Demons heightened their aggressiveness.

Seeing that, I swallowed hard.

Chances were that both the Mage and Muk-Gwon were still wary of me.

But I needed to consider what implications there could be for dragging me into this war.

As the Demon Energy pouring out of the bodies of the Demons began to resonate in the void.

Rumble—!

“Guh!”

Suddenly, the ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.

With the sudden shock, those rushing forward stumbled.

Just as I was about to pause in confusion.

“That’s….”

Everyone turned to look in the direction Muk-Gwon was pointing.

‘Hah…’

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

‘You charged in first, and now look what happens?’

In the distance, a colossal wave had formed halfway up the mountain.

It was a wave of immense black mass that seemed capable of washing over the entire mountain.

A flaming wave soaring high, almost touching the clouds.

There was no need to ponder what that was.

That was all Black Flame.

The sheer volume and size of the flames made it look almost like a gigantic tidal wave.

 

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